Some people swore to me that just because the free-software General Public License (GPL) clashes with the Apple App Store's Terms of Service (ToS), didn't mean that Apple would actually pull down GPLed apps. Well, Apple just did. Remi Denis-Courmont, a Linux developer of the popular VLC media player, has just announced that Apple had pulled the popular GPLed VLC media player from its App Store.

Apple chose their TOS in full knowledge that they are not compatible with the GPL.

Some people put a lot of hard work into VLC without being paid. They only did it on the condition that the result of their work is also distributed freely, because they don't want to get ripped off. The code is still theirs, and if you want to use or redistribute it, you have to respect their terms.

If you want to use free software on your device, then convince Apple to open their devices, or buy something else, like an Android phone.